Diva Cup makes me burn and itch... help!

[heymama1plus1]

Just finished my 2nd cycle with the diva cup and I LOVE LOVE it, except the big problem stated above. Last month I used it for the first time. Thought maybe I was getting a yeast infection because it burned and itched. Also thought maybe the "scent" lingering on it (the new cup scent?) wasn't washed off enough so I boiled it and the bag it came in. Well, it wasn't a yeast infection but it went away after my period was done so I didn't think anything of it.

So same thing, next cycle. Thought maybe it was my soap, just washed it well with water and boiled it a few times (meant to go get different soap but never got around to it). Same thing... burning/ itching like I'm getting a yeastie, but one never starts.

The itching often goes away maybe 6 hours into using it, then restarts when I change it out after 12 hours. I've had other silicone things in my vagina (diaphragm, male/ female condoms) with no problems (latex does make me itch, though). I've certainly had my fingers in that area before, even after washing with my regular bathroom soap. I've never had itching from sex (except when I have a yeast infection). Never had itching from tampons, and you'd think they're more irritating!

Ideas? Could I possibly be allergic? Is there another brand that would be better? I LOVE this cup and I don't want to go back to tampons, but the itch is killing me! Not enough to keep me up at night, but almost (like the pre-yeast infection itch).

Help!

[A-mac]

I have no idea. Silicone is supposed to be nonreactive. I've never had any problems with mine, but I don't really get yeast infections either. I hope someone has some answers for you and you can continue using it, they're awesome.

[FatAphrodite]

I don't have an answer, but I just got a silicone cup and am having the same problem-itchy-ish for the first hour or so.  Also makes me cramp really hard every time I re-insert it.  For me though, I'm allergic to most pads, not to mention the elastic in underwear and tampons are a special kind of hell, so I didn't mind the itching so much. 

[Katie T]

Try switching what soap you wash it with. I had this problem during my first cycle and I tried a different kind of soap and the problem has not been a issue since. Good luck, the cups are wonderful!!!

[JanineRivera]

I am having the same problem!  I gave up and bought pads:(  I was really loving the cup but then noticed a trend this last cycle with the itching like the beginning of a yeast infection.  Maybe I will try again next cycle and use different soap.  

[schmuppet]

Okay - so I see that the original post was from 2 years ago...but hey!  I just googled it and this was one of the first things that came up.  I wonder if you ever figured out the solution?  I have a sinking feeling its the Diva Cup.

I am SO SO sad.  I LOVE the diva cup but for the last several cycles - I have finished my period and then had what I thought was a yeast infection.  The first time it happened, it sent me into the 'Man - women have all the sh@!&y stuff to deal with" mode.  Then the 2nd time I thought, "hm. Seriously? Two months in a row?".  Now, after this past period, I realized - I think it's my beloved Diva Cup.  After a few days the itching goes away and I feel back to normal.

Here is the interesting thing.  This is my second cup.  My first one I had for years and I didn't have this problem.  Then I had a baby.  And the 1st cup leaked - - - obvious reasons...I'm dong my kegels :-)...so I bought the one for women in their 30's who've had babies.  I'm wondering if they changed their material? Or maybe I have changed...breastfeeding/post baby hormones? 

Let me know if you every learned anything.  Maybe I should just email them. I will be so amazingly bummed and disappointed if I have to go back to tampons.  I hate those things!

[heymama1plus1]

I am the original poster... forgot that I had those issues in the beginning!  I'm still using it and the burning part has gone away.  The only time I'm a bit irritated is when it doesn't pop open right away and I'm doing more "manipulations" to get it to sit right.  When I do get it in right, I forget I even have it in...  it's that great!  So stick with it; maybe boil it a bunch of times to get any lingering chemicals off?

I don't wash it in soap anymore; I only rinse with hot water and use a Medela steam bag a few times a cycle to keep it clean.  Used to boil it but this is quicker.  Probably not recommended per the website, but it's working so far!

Any other users have tips on getting it to pop open?  Sometimes I get it right away, sometimes I give up and try again in a few hours because if I try too much, then I get irritated (physically and mentally!).

Christina

[TracyGladRags]

Originally Posted by schmuppet 

Okay - so I see that the original post was from 2 years ago...but hey!  I just googled it and this was one of the first things that came up.  I wonder if you ever figured out the solution?  I have a sinking feeling its the Diva Cup.

I am SO SO sad.  I LOVE the diva cup but for the last several cycles - I have finished my period and then had what I thought was a yeast infection.  The first time it happened, it sent me into the 'Man - women have all the sh@!&y stuff to deal with" mode.  Then the 2nd time I thought, "hm. Seriously? Two months in a row?".  Now, after this past period, I realized - I think it's my beloved Diva Cup.  After a few days the itching goes away and I feel back to normal.

Here is the interesting thing.  This is my second cup.  My first one I had for years and I didn't have this problem.  Then I had a baby.  And the 1st cup leaked - - - obvious reasons...I'm dong my kegels :-)...so I bought the one for women in their 30's who've had babies.  I'm wondering if they changed their material? Or maybe I have changed...breastfeeding/post baby hormones? 

Let me know if you every learned anything.  Maybe I should just email them. I will be so amazingly bummed and disappointed if I have to go back to tampons.  I hate those things!

Maybe your body is reacting to the soap you're using? You could try boiling the cup to get any additional residue off. It's interesting that this didn't happen to you before -- I'm almost positive they haven't changed their material. Hmmm.

Originally Posted by heymama1plus1 

I am the original poster... forgot that I had those issues in the beginning!  I'm still using it and the burning part has gone away.  The only time I'm a bit irritated is when it doesn't pop open right away and I'm doing more "manipulations" to get it to sit right.  When I do get it in right, I forget I even have it in...  it's that great!  So stick with it; maybe boil it a bunch of times to get any lingering chemicals off?

I don't wash it in soap anymore; I only rinse with hot water and use a Medela steam bag a few times a cycle to keep it clean.  Used to boil it but this is quicker.  Probably not recommended per the website, but it's working so far!

Any other users have tips on getting it to pop open?  Sometimes I get it right away, sometimes I give up and try again in a few hours because if I try too much, then I get irritated (physically and mentally!).

Christina

Glad to hear the discomfort has gone away! The position you sit/stand in while inserting the cup can make a difference as to how it pops open. Your muscles should be relaxed and as open as possible so that the cup has less resistance when opening. I usually grab the tab/stem (I don't use the Diva Cup, but alternate between the Moon Cup and the Lunette) once it's inserted, and pull slightly back, which tips the opening of the cup forward slightly. That can help it pop open, too!